IN the 1960s, there were two types of bugs that people could not live without and both were to forever change the face of pop culture – the Beatles and the Volkswagen Beetle. When John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr first stepped onto a stage as the Beatles, they would have had no idea how their music would capture the hearts and minds of people the world over and that they would become one of the most iconic bands in music history.
In a similar fashion, the popularity of the Volkswagen Beetle was growing and it was to turn into one of the most influential cars in the history of motoring: conceived as a car to mobilise Germany, it was later adopted by the long-haired, peace-loving types in the US and remains a stalwart classic for artistic types and students.
The task to remake and redesign the Beetle was never going to be easy, much like asking a 21st century DJ to remix a Beatles classic.
So, when the new Beetle, widely named the Millennium Bug, was introduced in the late 1990s, it received a mixed response and achieved only modest success. In South Africa, VWSA managed to move a measly 2 600 units since its launch in 2000. What the Millennium Bug lacked was a proper understanding of its donor “track”. It needed more than a superimposed electronic drumbeat to make it popular among a new generation of car buyers. What the Beetle needed wasn’t a remix, but simply a digital remaster.
With the design of the 21st century Beetle, VW went back to the studio and dusted off the original 1930s design to see what it could borrow to remake this classic.
The new Beetle is more masculine than its predecessor and manages to catch more of the original’s aesthetic essence, with a similarly long-nosed front and stumpy rear, and rounded retro headlamps with internal designs that cleverly mimic eyes. This model – the 1,4 TSI Sport – comes with a sporty-looking rear spoiler.
The flat roof and pinched rear window lend the Beetle a distinctive look but impact on rear passenger head- and legroom. Up front, however, the Beetle is spacious and the comfort sport seats on this model feature height adjustment. The new Bug is manufactured in Mexico on a reworked Jetta chassis and is wider (84 mm), lower (12 mm), and longer (152 mm) than the model it replaces. These measurements allow for a handy 264 dm3 of luggage space – a lot more practical than the Millennium Bug, which offered just 168 dm3.
In the front of the cabin, VW has done away with the gimmicky vase and has added touches that those who are familiar with the original will recognise. There is an oversized speedo, a neat panel that runs across the facia (with the option to have it colour-coded in line with the exterior paint on the 1,2 TSI Design model) and a facia-mounted glovebox.
Under the bonnet (not the hatch lid) lies a 118 kW/240 N.m twin-charged 1,4-litre petrol engine. This unit makes use of a super- and turbocharger to minimise lag and provide optimal power right through the rev band. It’s effective at low revs, but peters out as you climb further up the rev range. We were able to clock a respectable zero to 100 km/h time of 9,59 seconds.
More importantly, however, is that the Beetle displayed strong overtaking ability; it took only 2,9 seconds to reach 100 km/h from 80 km/h. The latter figure bests the time set by the Golf 6 1,4 TSI (the model without a supercharger) across the same range by just under a second. Changing between the six gears feels typically VW-notchy, but drivers will soon grow used to this aspect.
Volkswagen has equipped the 1,4-litre Beetle with an XDS electronic limited-slip differential to improve the handling. You probably won’t feel inclined to chuck this city slicker over twisty bits of tarmac, but it does have plenty of grip and feels composed in most situations. However, it becomes unsettled when traversing uneven pieces of road at low speeds (which could be due to the basic torsion-beam rear axle), and the steering feels a tad low-geared.
For your money, you get dual front, side and curtain airbags, ABS, EBD, hill-hold control and Isofix anchorages. For comfort and entertainment, this Sport model has electric windows and mirrors, climate control, cruise control and steering-wheel-mounted audio buttons for the eight-speaker, MP3-compatible sound system.
Test Summary
The new Beetle has moved on from being a people’s car and has morphed into an upmarket vehicle for fashionistas who hanker for the days when Beetlemania swept the planet.
This model costs slightly less than the more dynamic Scirocco and is less user-friendly than the Polo. Does that make it a pointless car? It depends. If you’re looking for a practical, cheap buy, then yes. But, if you want to express your inner flower child in a vehicle that’s still far more practical than that other retro-chic hatch, the Mini Cooper, the Beetle represents a compelling buy.
That said, poseurs may want to consider the 1,2 TSI at about R60 000 less. It’s the perfect car to clear the stormy weather that the last Beetle left in its wake.
Volkswagen Beetle Local Timeline
The original Beetle will always be more than just another car to VW buyers and supporters. It cemented the local subsidiary’s position in our market and soon earned the title of “The people’s car”.
1949 – A company called South African Motor Assemblers and Distributors (SAMAD) opens its doors in Uitenhage, South Africa.
1951 – The first Beetle rolls off the line.
1956 – A 1955 model conquers the strenuous Sani Pass.
1958 – The Beetle becomes a best seller for the first time locally.
1961 – Mike Streeter and Colin Wynne travel from Port Elizabeth to London in a standard 1960 Beetle.
1961 – Major engine changes occur and VW adds a windscreen washer, self-cancelling indicator and padded sunvisors.
1966 – The first cubic-capacity increase in over 10 years occurs.
1967 – The disc-braked Beetle arrives.
1968 – The South African-derived Beetle 1500 is launched.
1970 – A record 21 009 Beetle sales are recorded.
1973 – After a high of 21 034, sales start to decline and the introduction of limited-edition models start.
1974 – The 250 000th Beetle is made in Uitenhage.
1977 – A 49 kW twin-carb motor-equipped Beetle is launched.
1979 – The last Beetle leaves the Uitenhage production line.
